Green Roofing

A green roofing system is an extension of the existing
roof which involves a high quality water proofing and root repellant
system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium
and plants. Green roof systems may be modular, with
drainage layers, filter cloth, growing media and plants already prepared
in movable, interlocking grids, or, each component of the system may be
installed separately. Green roof development involves
the creation of “contained” green space on top of a human-made
structure. This green space could be below, at or above grade, but in
all cases the plants are not planted in the “ground’. Green roofs can
provide a wide range of public and private benefits. Life expectancy is
over 50 years.

Advantages (Benefits) of Green Roofing:1. Green roofs provide thermal insulation and therefore
energy costs savings and consequent reduction in carbon dioxide
production.2. Plant activity on green roofs reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.3. Green roofs can help to reduce the production of ozone by reducing the heat island effect and by absorbing airborne particles.4. Green roofs act as noise barriers and are sufficient
to provide noise insulation for buildings under flight paths and around
airports5. Green roofs, if designed appropriately, can provide
valuable wildlife habitat in cities and help meet local, regional and
national biodiversity targets6. Green roofs reduce the effect of the urban heat island effect7. Green roofs significantly reduce storm water run off from buildings8. Green roofs provide visual amenity to green space9. There is evidence that access to visual green space can have positive effects on health.10. Innovation in the UK in the use of recycled
secondary aggregates as growing mediums can help meet targets to reduce
secondary aggregate waste.